What is Open Source?

Open source also allows developers to extend the product by developing new
components. Although it is easy to add new commands to the standard QM
environment by writing QMBasic programs, you cannot make changes to the
internal operation of the product. With open source you have full rights to
make whatever changes you wish to the source code to create your own private
variant of the QM environment. The
General Public Licence also allows you to
make your modified software available to others but only on the condition that
all your changes and related software become open source too.

The open source version of QM is intended as a "sandbox" for
developers who want to experiment with adding their own features to the core
multivalue engine that cannot be implemented at the QMBasic level.
This version is based on release 2.6-6 from November 2007 and contains only
the core multivalue database components but it is adequate for the purpose for
which it was released. The advanced features found in the commercial product
are not included. It is unlikely that there will be a further release
under the GPL.

The source code is released as a package that will build on Linux though users
are free to migrate it to other environments.

This version of QM and modifications made to it can be freely used and
distributed within the terms of the
General Public Licence.
In common with all software released under the GPL, the open source version
comes with absolutely no warranty or support.
For guidance on which version is right for you
click here.

The terms of the GPL require that, if you modify the modules that form the
open source release in any way, you must also release those modifications in
open source form under the same licence. You must not remove the copyright
notice embedded in every source code module or the GPL licence message
and warning re lack of support that is displayed on entry to the product.

Applications that you build using the open source version and for which you
hold copyright to the source code are themselves redistributable under
whatever terms you wish to apply. Software compiled on the open source
version may not be executed on the commercial version or vice versa.

We strongly recommend that if you have a need for a feature that is not
already in OpenQM, you discuss this with Ladybridge Systems with a view to
adding it to the standard product. By doing this, you remove the possibly
costly task of building the open source version, have use of all the other
developments that have occurred since the source release and have a fully
supported product.

Open source developers are encouraged to contribute new components to the
product and will receive the contributions of other developers. Modifications
must comply with the terms of the General Public
Licence.
For more information on how to develop modifications that are intended for
submittal for inclusion in the product, see
Developer Information.